Black-bellied Starling
Notophilia corruscus
Riparian and costal woodland. Dullest of all starlings.
Starlings
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Dullest of the glossy starlings, appearing black at a distance; female and immature duller than male. Eye colour orange-yellow to red in adult, dark grey in immature. Flocks utter various pleasant warbling notes while feeding. Breeding pairs make a garbled series of mellow trills interspersed with harsher notes. Nomadic when not breeding. Frequents moister, more shady habitats than other starlings, occurring in coastal towns, forest and bush, extending inland to riparian and lowland woodland in the north. In Zimbabwe occurs in summer only in the Rusitu–Haroni region.
Quick Facts
Size
#VALUE!
Names
A: Swartpensglansspreeu
Z: iKhwezi lasogwini
G: Schwarzbauch-Glanzstar
Bird Family
A well-known family of frugivorous and insectivorous birds with strong, slightly decurved bills and strong legs. Many species form flocks, especially when roosting. Their calls are mainly various unmusical squeaks and squawks. Several species have adapted to town life and two have been introduced from other countries. Unless otherwise stated, the immatures resemble adults.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Frequents moister, more shady habitats than other starlings, occurring in coastal towns, 'forest' and bush, extending inland to riparian and lowland woodland in the north.
